Definitely a game that will last you till the end of time!
The graphics aren't amazing but they aren't crap either. The CG cut scenes will leave you amazed and entranced, as they not only look good but are filled with action and excitement.
The battle system is the real gem of the game, being a real-time, yet separate from the actual world, battle system. You travel the map and can see the enemies but then switch into the battle mode with a quick screen change. In here you can run around and do light, or heavy attacks which differ based on distance from the targeted enemy. Then you also have special attacks, which can be chosen outside of battle and assigned to either O or X and assign a distance to activate from giving a max of 4 attacks at any given time, but these are also limited by a CP cost so that you cant have all your best attacks at once. Each special attack uses either mp or hp to use so as to restrain spamming and put strategy into your planning. As is expected if you put and ability onto the stronger O button it costs more but has the added bonus that it cannot be block by the shield, except in later difficulties. As well as melee and special attacks you also have a variety of spells called Symbology at your disposal which depending on power take different times to activate. These spells are well designed and all look good and if you want can easily be a main attack choice with the right equipment. The more you use abilities the more powerful they become, sometimes with bonuses, for example after a few level ups Firebolt it not only does more damage but also shoots more fire bolts.
Then of course you can choose tactics for the party members you arent controlling at the time, however these arent really much use and i found myself choosing "attack with all your might" all the time. In battle at max you can have 3 players in the battle, controlling one at a time.
The main story alone has at least 40 hours of gameplay in it, 40 wonderful hours, but in addition to this, multiple side quests, hard optional dungeons, battle trophies unlocked by doing certain things within the game which unlocks bonuses eg: extra costumes, and the wonderous invention system can keep you going well over 100 hours of gameplay. I myself have clocked over 140 hours and still have not defeated the Sphere 211 tower.
With a wonderful storyline, good voice acting, excellent battle system, multiple difficulties, battle trophies, tons of side quest/ extra dungeon content, and areas of slight humor, it is very hard to find any reason not to at least give this game a try. And trust me you wont regret it. This is a game for the ages.